Effingham, Illinois – Drivers along I-70 and I-57 could encounter sudden bursts of 70 mph winds and blinding rain as severe thunderstorms develop and track across southern and central Illinois through midnight.
According to the National Weather Service in Central Illinois, a Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1 a.m. Monday for counties near and south of I-70, including Effingham, Mattoon, Centralia, Carbondale and areas stretching toward Evansville, Indiana. Storms may produce hail up to 2 inches in diameter along with frequent lightning and damaging wind gusts.
The highest impacts are expected along key travel corridors like I-70, I-57 and I-64, where rapidly changing conditions could lead to dangerous driving and brief road closures. In cities like Carbondale and Centralia, strong winds may down tree limbs and power lines, increasing the risk of localized outages overnight.
Residents are urged to secure loose outdoor items, avoid unnecessary travel during storms, and stay indoors when lightning is active. Mobile homes and temporary structures may be especially vulnerable to strong wind gusts.
Storm activity will continue pushing east into Indiana overnight, with the severe threat easing after 1 a.m. Additional warnings may be issued if storms intensify.
